The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos’ have their eyes set on 2021 after finalising their list at the 2020 NAB AFL Women’s Draft on Tuesday.

The Kangaroos selected five players including their inaugural father-daughter pick in Amy Smith.

Highlights of each player will be available on Wednesday. 

Pick 13 – Isabella Eddey

The 162cm mid/forward has the ability to play half-forward, on a wing or on the ball.

Dubbed ‘silk’ at the Sandringham Dragons due to her clean skills, Eddey can create time and space, and bring teammates into the game.

“Bella has genuine speed and class and is a great ground-level player,” North AFLW list and performance manager, Rhys Harwood said.

“She has an innate ability to make things happen with ball in hand, and she will add a real point of difference to our midfield and forward half.

“Players with this level of class are hard to find, so we are thrilled to add both a quality player and an outstanding person into our program.”

Pick 22 – Alice O’Loughlin

O’Loughlin is a 170cm forward with genuine footy smarts, nous around goals, and class.

“Alice has a great athletic profile and in particular a strong engine, which will allow her to play across half-forward, and further afield,” North AFLW list and performance manager, Rhys Harwood said.

“She has excellent fundamentals and some genuine craft and class with the way she uses the ball, and creates opportunities for herself in the front half.

“We think she’s a tough matchup, and will really add to our forward-half stocks.

“We were really impressed with Alice’s start to the 2020 season with the Oakleigh Chargers and we can’t wait to have her at the club.”

Pick 44 – Georgia Hammond

A key forward with strong hands, Hammond uses her body well in the contest and has also shown capacity to play through the ruck and back half when required.

“Georgia is a strongly-built key-forward, who finishes her work around goals, but also offers flexibility around the ground,” North AFLW list and performance manager, Rhys Harwood said.

“She is a strong one-on-one player, and provides a really strong target for her team.

“We were really keen to add some depth to our key positions, and we think Georgia has the scope to play from the outset.

“We were really impressed with her form through our AFL Train-On program last year, and she was due to play for our VFLW side this season after a strong season with Darebin.

“She is an outstanding person and will add a lot to our program both on and off the field.”

Pick 49 – Brooke Brown

A Tasmanian product, Brown joined the Launceston Football Club earlier this year after a number of seasons with the Launceston Tornadoes in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL-1) competition.

The 23-year-old boasts a dynamic sporting resume, having played high-level touch rugby as well as being a track athlete as a junior.

At 184cm and with the ability to play as a key defender, key forward and ruck, Brown adds a great deal of versatility and depth.

“Brooke has great range on her kicking and really strong fundamentals for a player who is relatively fresh to the sport,” North AFLW list and performance manager said.

“Brooke has shown the capacity to play through all three zones with Launceston this year, to real effect.

“She has significant upside, and will give us some great flexibility in our squad, both for the short and longer term.

“We’ve had our eye on Brooke for a while, and are rapt to be able to add another talented Tasmanian to our squad.” 

Pick 55 – Amy Smith

The 21-year-old was a talented basketballer in the Big V Competition for a number of years, before joining Aberfeldie Football Club in the Eastern District Football League (EDFL) for the 2019 season.

Smith played predominantly as a midfielder in the premiership winning side, and went on to be named in the EDFL Team of the Year. She then joined Williamstown’s VFLW program in 2020 where she completed a pre-season before COVID-19 restrictions were enforced.

“Amy’s athleticism, as well as her dedication to develop her game since crossing from basketball have seen her progress quickly since taking up football prior to the 2019 season,” North AFLW list & football performance manager, Rhys Harwood said.  

“Her development has been really impressive and we believe she has great scope to go to the next level in our program.

“Amy is a great athlete, at 170cm, and has a great engine and turn of speed. We think she will be well suited to roles both through the back half of the ground, and the midfield.”